Mr. Robert Lee Ellis Jr., 87, Gadsden, died Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. His crypt-side service will be Monday at Crestwood Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Ellis joined the Army in 1948 at the age of 17, serving in many capacities during a 20-year career. He was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division and was Airborne all the way. He was deployed to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division in 1966 and was a member of some of the first air assault teams, which were experimental at the time. He retired from the Army in 1966 and worked for Republic Steel for a short time before employing with the Anniston Army Depot, where he retired after 15 years of service. He enjoyed being outdoors and loved to skydive, especially with his sons, teaching them the sport at an early age. Mr. Ellis was a very active man, never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone.
He is survived by his sons, Dwayne Lee Ellis and David Ellis (Debbie); sisters, Margaret Herring, Jean Pope, Jan Neely, Kay Reeves and Gray Singleton; grandchildren, Chadwick Lee Ellis, Michael Ryan (Bear) Ellis, Andrea Leeann Smith and Hannah Nolin; great-grandchildren, Tatum Ellis, Cooper Ellis, Jaxson Smith, Kara Ellis, Carson Basenberg and Kameron Nolin.
Preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ellis; parents, Robert Lee Ellis Sr. and Gladys Phipps Ellis; brother, Eldon Ellis; sister, Stella Pittman; grandson, Kyle Ellis.